News

The business week

MONDAY: Almost 10% of all taxes in Ireland are paid by foreign-owned companies, according to a new report by Trinity College Dublin economists.

Permanent TSB will refund thousands of customers an average of €40 each, having failed to provide promised discounts to people who opened more than one account.

TUESDAY: Profits at Friends First rose 41% to €29.3m last year, including profits of €18m at its life assurance division and €5.3m at its finance sector. Borders, the American chain of bookshops, is planning to open its first Irish outlet, a 20,000-sq-ft store, in Blanchardstown later this year.

Today FM’s broadcasting licence was renewed for 10 years by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. The Emap-owned station has broadcast since 1997.

Bank of Ireland said its earnings for the year to the end of March should be up 15%, with retail profits likely to be up 8% and profits at Bank of